IronBirds are back and so is fastpitch softball [Commentary]

RANDY McROBERTS, rmcroberts@theaegis.com

So, the IronBirds are back in Aberdeen for another summer as the 2013 season got under way Monday.

The 'Birds hosted a way-too-familiar foe in the Hudson Valley Renegades and unfortunately dropped the season opener, 5-0. In fact, according to some pre-game notes, this was the ninth straight year the two teams have opened their seasons against each other. Not all have been played in Aberdeen, and the IronBirds are now 4-5 in the games.

There are a few other things on those notes that caught my eye and made me think.

We all know the struggles for a winning season the IronBirds have endured since the first season in Aberdeen in 2002. But, just look at last year when the IronBirds finished 28-48.

Aberdeen played Hudson Valley 14 times last season and you know how many times Aberdeen won? Once; 1-13 against the Renegades in a season that they finish 18 games under .500. Wow. If they had just split the 14 games, the would have been 34-42. Still not a winning season, but it definitely sounds and looks a bit better.

The lone win last season came in the second game of the season, so by the time you're reading this in print, maybe the IronBirds will have duplicated their start from 2012. Maybe?

A quick scan of the schedule shows me that there are 13 games between the two teams this season and according to the notes, Hudson Valley is the team the IronBirds will play most often again this season.

Let's hope the IronBirds find a way to reverse last year's results, if only against the Renegades. Clearly, they are the thorn in the side, much like the New York Yankees have been to the Orioles.

Another note of interest I found while poking around on the IronBirds site takes us back to last season. The IronBirds ended last season with a 4-0 loss, meaning there is at least an 18-inning scoreless streak to begin the season. Ugh.

While the IronBirds will continue to play, and may I say win, there's another ballgame that's played in Harford County, finally.

For years, the Summer Women's Fastpitch League has been a staple for women who play the game of softball. For the last many, the league has played its games at Thomas Run Park.

This year's league, which was scheduled to begin at least three weeks ago, finally saw its first games played Monday night.

Bad weather has been the major problem as rain seemed to know that Monday and Thursday nights were a good time to make a mess of a dry softball field. Graduations at HCC's APGFCU Arena also forced a postponement, so Mother Nature got off the hook for that one.

Anyway, it was nice to see the ladies back on the field as well as the IronBirds. One requires a fee and the other is free. Both are enjoyable entertainment.